Diners' Choice: French restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

OpenTable

Updated 05 November 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall French cuisine in San Francisco Bay Area? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

L'Ardoise

4.9

4.9 (3625)

$31 to $50

French

The Castro

About the restaurant

French Bistro serving traditional and authentic fare in a cozy atmosphere.

Top review

PaulGold

Dined 3 days ago

An Exceptional French Dining Experience — A True Culinary Gem! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ As someone who considers himself a serious foodie and has enjoyed dining at countless restaurants, I can confidently say that L’Ardoise serves some of the finest French cuisine I have ever experienced. What impressed me most was the remarkable depth of flavor in every dish. Each plate was beautifully executed, thoughtfully balanced, and bursting with rich, delicious flavors. This is French cooking at its finest, where quality ingredients, technique, and attention to detail truly shine. The service was equally exceptional. The staff was warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and offered fantastic recommendations that made an already wonderful meal even more memorable. Their genuine hospitality elevated the entire experience. I've had my share of memorable meals, but L’Ardoise stands out as something truly special. It's rare to find a restaurant where the food, service, and overall experience come together so effortlessly. L’Ardoise isn't just a great French restaurant. It's a destination worth seeking out. An absolute must for anyone who appreciates exceptional food and genuine hospitality. I cannot wait to return!

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (538)

$30 and under

French

Financial District / Embarcadero

About the restaurant

Le Parc Bistrobar is a delightful French restaurant in Union Square, San Francisco, nestled within the Galleria Park Hotel. Led by the renowned 2-star Michelin Chef Bruno Chemel, this bistro offers a culinary escapade that perfectly complements the city's refined tastes. The menu at Le Parc Bistrobar is a tribute to classic French cuisine, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients that bring out the rich, traditional flavors in every dish. The lounge bar provides a wide variety of wines and cocktails to enhance the gourmet experience.

Top review

Dave

Dined 1 day ago

One of the best experiences in San Francisco, service was friendly and professional, the food was delicious and tasty, ambience is delightful and felt like being in France ! Love it 😍

La Sen Bistro

4.8

4.8 (1464)

$31 to $50

French

Walnut Creek

About the restaurant

On Mother's Day, La Sen will only be offering the Dinner Menu and Special Menu all day.

La Sen Bistro in Walnut Creek is serving the parallel French-California classic samples of duck confit, rack of lamb, escargot, beef bourguignon and mussels - just to name a few. These great samples were recognized by the Diablo Magazine, San Francisco Chronicles, Contra Costa Times and San Jose Mercury News. In addition, these samples were also recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Come join La Sen Bistro for a glass of wine and a taste of French-California cuisine. Cheers to good food and great companies. Bon Appetit!

Top review

CarloGold

Dined 4 days ago

Melo’s’s was our server for that night. She was attentive, but not intrusive, and knows her craft well. My friend and I were there to celebrate our birthdays, and had an amazing time. Food was divine! I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

Cote Ouest

4.9

4.9 (1271)

$30 and under

French

Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio

About the restaurant

Côte Ouest Bistro is a contemporary French bistro led by partners Laurent Monchicourt & Martin Sarrailh. In April 2021, the pair transformed the former Baker Street Bistro into a modern 21st century neighborhood gem. At the heart of Laurent and Martin's partnership lies a shared dream: to create a restaurant that embraces guests like family, offering a haven where they can delight in delectable food and wine, surrounded by warm companionship.

Nestle into one of the bay window seats and enjoy conversation over a plate of charcuterie with the perfect glass of Bordeaux. Chef Sarrailh prepares seasonal specialties as well as favorite French classics like Steak Frites and Duck Confit. The custard-soaked Croissant French Toast is not to be missed if you stop by for brunch on the sunny terrace.

Côte Ouest Bistro has been featured in Forbes magazine and The Infatuation and was named one of the "Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in the Nation 2024" by Open Table.

Top review

BarbaraGold

Dined 4 days ago

Another great brunch at Cote Ouest. Never disappoints .

Discover more

Popular dish

French Onion Soup

Popular dish

French Onion SoupSoup of the day

Popular dish

Burrata Salad

Bistro Jeanty

4.8

4.8 (11955)

$31 to $50

French

Yountville

About the restaurant

In everyday French life, it is the Bistro that is woven into the daily pattern of meals and celebrations. The only French owned and operated restaurant in Napa Valley, Bistro Jeanty has been received by patrons from all over as a true French bistro. The warm interior is a reflection of the casual elegance you find in every meal. Classic dishes such as Mussels, Cassoulet, or of course Philippe’s famed Tomato soup make you feel as if you really have traveled into the French countryside. From all of us here at Bistro Jeanty we invite you to come and share in the excitement of dining.

Top review

ChristineGold

Dined 5 days ago

Always a pleasure having a meal at Bistro Jeanty. The food is always spot on and the service is excellent.

Discover more

4.9

4.9 (39)

$50 and over

French

Glen Park

About the restaurant

La Cigale is an ingredient-driven, wood-fired Occitan restaurant with a daily changing menu, in beautiful downtown Glen Park. We buy the best, and waste nothing.

Our seatings are 5PM and 8PM, Wednesday through Saturday.

We serve a three-course, prix-fixe menu with three options per course. Our beverage program focuses on French wine, especially those of the south.

Top review

JeffGold

Dined 3 days ago

An intimate and unique fine dining experience. Michelin quality food served without the pretense and condescension.

Discover more

Experience

Prix Fixe

Reve

4.8

4.8 (3024)

$50 and over

French

Lafayette

About the restaurant

RÊVE is not that snooty, splurge-on-your-anniversary kind of French restaurant. Au contraire.
This is your classic, everyday neighborhood French bistro run by Chef Paul Magu-Lecugy, MCF & his wife, Laura. That kind of cozy little place you’d imagine in Saint Michel or Saint Germain. Not smack dab in the middle of the 'burbs. But lucky for you, that’s exactly where 5-star chef Paul Magu will be paying homage to the French comfort food that he fell in love with as a boy growing up in Paris. We’re talking authentic French onion soup. Steamed mussels. Steak frites. And don’t forget creme brulee… 2021 -2026 Michelin recognized Open Table "Diner's Choice" 2017-2026, Diablo Magazine 2025: Best Chef, Best Outdoor Dining, Best Special Occasion Restaurant. Intimate dining room, and beautiful garden patio.

Top review

William

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent French bistro food with great wine and cocktails and very friendly service; one of our favorite restaurants!

Discover more

Popular dish

Poulet Façon Coq au Vin

4.8

4.8 (3873)

$31 to $50

French

Richmond District

About the restaurant

Discover the essence of French culinary excellence at Chapeau! SF, a beloved bistro nestled in the heart of San Francisco since 1996. Celebrated for its warm ambiance and impeccable service, Chapeau! offers a delightful dining experience featuring both prix fixe and à la carte menus.

Indulge in our weekday limited prix fixe menu at $55 per person, or savor the $75 prix fixe menu available every night, allowing you to select any appetizer, entrée, and dessert. For those who prefer flexibility, our à la carte menu is also available anytime.

Chapeau! SF is dedicated to serving authentic French cuisine with a modern twist, curated by our expert chefs. Join us at 126 Clement Street and let us transport you to the heart of France with every bite.

A bientôt!

Top review

Patricia

Dined 3 days ago

my first time there but had been highly recommended by friends it didn't disappoint

Epernay Bistro

4.6

4.6 (132)

$50 and over

French

Los Gatos

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of downtown Los Gatos we are a cozy French restaurant offering beautiful but approachable cuisine, wine, and champagne. Our restaurant offers everything from brunch on the weekends to Oysters, Caviar, Boeuf Bourguignon, and the Best Burger in LG. Featuring over 100 wines in our conservative space we have assembled a modest but excellent collection of offerings. Please come and enjoy our Bistro for an experience you will not soon forget.

Top review

GlennGold

Dined 2 days ago

Espernay Bistro in Los Gatos is a terrific French restaurant. We started with the sturgeon pate and it was a great way to start the meal. Then we had the bone marrow and escargot appetizers which were both prospered perfectly and really delicious. Then we both had the beef stew entrees which is brisket that is cooked for hours to make is soft and tender. It is placed over mashed potatoes which is a delightful combination. Finally we had the Napoleon pastry which is classic French. And with the excellent Salmon brand Champagnes we throughly enjoyed the meal. The service is excellent, it’s a pleasant ambience, quiet, inviting, with tables nicely spaced, and the value is excellent. You could easily spend $100 more at other fine restaurants and you won’t get a better meal. If you want a superb French cuisine meal where you can relax, enjoy, and indulge, then Eapernay is your place!

Vida + Bar Loretta

4.9

4.9 (2979)

$50 and over

French

Menlo Park

About the restaurant

Established in 1998, Bistro Vida is a neighborhood restaurant inspired by the great Parisian bistro culture and traditions of French cooking. Our mission is to bring the joie de vivre, comfort, and community of the City of Lights to downtown Menlo Park. The name " Vida" the Spanish word for life, was chosen as a toast to the enjoyment of life, love, and food. Each delicious detail of the chic interior from the smart bar to the blackboard menus, the huge cylindrical chandeliers to the long mirrors reminiscent of brasseries has acquired a warm patina over the years.

Top review

MarieGold

Dined on 2 Nov 2026

We had a delicious lunch yesterday at Bistro Vida, our fave downtown MP restaurant. My husband had the delicious burger topped with gorgonzola and roasted red peppers. I had tomato basil soup and stole some of his perfect fries. Yum! Ali is the perfect host!

Explore Diners' Choice best of San Francisco Bay Area

Explore more Diners' Choice lists